§ Mr. O. LEWISasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of military aeroplanes and airships possessed in July, 1929, by Great Britain, the United States of America, Japan, France, and Italy, respectively?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEAs regards Great Britain, the first-line strength of the Royal Air Force at the date named was approximately 770 aircraft. There were no airships in commission; the two at present under trial are primarily intended for civil aviation. As regards the United States of America and the other countries named, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower) on 23rd December, and to the statistics published in the Armaments Year Book of the League of Nations, 1929.
Airmen Invalided for Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Calendar Year. Pensions Granted. Pensions refused (non-attributable cases). Great War cases. Post-War cases. 1922 … … … … … 20 5 9 1923 … … … … … 8 3 32 1924 … … … … … 3 4 31 1925 … … … … … 1 3 23 1926 … … … … … 1 5 16 1927 … … … … … — 4 16 1928 … … … … … — 5 13 1929 … … … … … 1 10 15 As regards the last part of the question, the number of airmen actually in receipt of pensions for pulmonary tuberculosis attributable to post-War service on 31st December, 1929, was 24. I have no information regarding the number of Great War cases still in receipt of pension.